Reported Cases of Reincarnation and Social Construction – Understanding Past Life Claims through Socio Cultural Perspectives

Abstract

This paper tried to look for factors responsible for repeated past life claims among children. This paper also tried to understand social function of the phenomena of reincarnation and its contribution towards a particular community. Interviews are conducted with six subjects and both their present family members and past life family members are also interviewed. Children started claiming previous life between three to five years of age. All of them showed dissociative tendencies which encouraged the parents look for past life of their child. Apart from that, it was found that child, parents, their families and community took an active role in this whole process. Religious and cultural belief also act as a catalyst in this process. It was also found that reincarnation is serving societal needs and acting as a therapeutic resource for those members who lost their near ones in tragic incident.